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Indian Runner ducks originated in the East Indies on the islands of Java, Malaya, Bali and Lombok. It is recorded that the first Runners were imported to the UK during the 1830s - but were then known as the "Penguin Duck" due to their incredible upright stance often compared to a hock bottle. Indian Runners have long been used in farming as a method of natural pest control. The Indian Runner is reported to have first appeared in the UK in 1835 and they were originally called Penguin Ducks. The first fawn and white runners were standardised in 1901 with other colours following (see colour varieties below).
Indian Runners are very active ducks that enjoy foraging for slugs, snails and insects. One of their original uses in Asia was to clear the paddy fields of pests. They would be taken there in the mornings and rounded up again at night so that they could be kept safe from predators. In some parts of the world, they are still used in this way, for example some organic vineyards in South Africa have started using Indian Runner Ducks to clear the vines of pests, in order to eliminate the need for chemical pesticides.
Details:
Purpose:: Utility – Eggs and good for organic pest control, particularly in vineyards.
Egg Laying: Up to 200 eggs per year.
Origin: East Indies.
Weight: Drake: 1.6 – 2.3 Kg, Duck: 1.4 – 2 Kg.
Classification: Runner.
Colours: Apricot Trout (Saxony), Black, Blue, Chocolate, Fawn, Fawn & White, Mallard, Silver, Trout, White.
A note on the colour varieties:
There are a number of different colour varieties of Indian Runner duck available but the Breed Standards vary by region. In the United States there have been 8 colour varieties admitted to the APA's Standard of Perfection, whilst in the UK the British Waterfowl Standards has 14.
Pic by @wildpeas
Pic by @Frank Phinster
Pic by @galgo98
Pic by @happy-chicken
BYC Reviews:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/products/indian-runner
Breed Discussions:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/714223/show-off-your-indian-runners/0_30
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/432437/indian-runners/0_30
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/981398/indian-runner-duck-week-by-week/0_30
Do you own Indian Runners? Are you an Indian Runner breeder? If so, please reply to this thread with the your thoughts and experiences, including:
· What made you decide to get this breed?
· Do you own them for fun? Breeding? Some other purpose?
· What are your favorite characteristics about this breed?
· Post some pics of your birds; male/female, chicks, eggs, etc!
Indian Runners are very active ducks that enjoy foraging for slugs, snails and insects. One of their original uses in Asia was to clear the paddy fields of pests. They would be taken there in the mornings and rounded up again at night so that they could be kept safe from predators. In some parts of the world, they are still used in this way, for example some organic vineyards in South Africa have started using Indian Runner Ducks to clear the vines of pests, in order to eliminate the need for chemical pesticides.
Details:
Purpose:: Utility – Eggs and good for organic pest control, particularly in vineyards.
Egg Laying: Up to 200 eggs per year.
Origin: East Indies.
Weight: Drake: 1.6 – 2.3 Kg, Duck: 1.4 – 2 Kg.
Classification: Runner.
Colours: Apricot Trout (Saxony), Black, Blue, Chocolate, Fawn, Fawn & White, Mallard, Silver, Trout, White.
A note on the colour varieties:
There are a number of different colour varieties of Indian Runner duck available but the Breed Standards vary by region. In the United States there have been 8 colour varieties admitted to the APA's Standard of Perfection, whilst in the UK the British Waterfowl Standards has 14.
Pic by @wildpeas
Pic by @Frank Phinster
Pic by @galgo98
Pic by @happy-chicken
BYC Reviews:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/products/indian-runner
Breed Discussions:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/714223/show-off-your-indian-runners/0_30
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/432437/indian-runners/0_30
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/981398/indian-runner-duck-week-by-week/0_30
Do you own Indian Runners? Are you an Indian Runner breeder? If so, please reply to this thread with the your thoughts and experiences, including:
· What made you decide to get this breed?
· Do you own them for fun? Breeding? Some other purpose?
· What are your favorite characteristics about this breed?
· Post some pics of your birds; male/female, chicks, eggs, etc!